OPINION PENNY WINDER A
chanceto
Combating this negative image is
not easy. Professional qualifications go some way to do this
he last few years have seen a huge increase in the number of accredited courses for the parking sector. Staff in a number of different job roles have benefitted – with qualifications now available for civil enforcement officers, notice processors, CCTV operators, private land enforcement and parking team leaders. This can only be positive for the industry which, with the ever-increasing number of cars on our streets, has an important role to play in managing congestion within the UK. So where do we go from here? What does the future hold for training within the parking sector? The introduction of accredited training has gone a long way to increasing the professionalism of the sector by equipping all involved with the knowledge necessary to carry out their roles efficiently and accurately. However, the parking sector still suffers from a negative public image and is seen by the general public as solely a means for local authorities to make extra income. This is shown by the fact that there are still many groups and individuals, including the mainstream press, that attempt to undermine the sector. We are aware of a number of local authorities that have received Freedom of Information Requests regarding the training that staff receive; an obvious attempt to find fault in the way the sector operates. Combating this negative image is not easy. Professional qualifications go some way to do this. There is room for further accredited training courses that will aid the increased professionalism of the sector and also create further career paths for those that work within it. One area that I believe needs some specific
T 22 AUGUST 2012
shine
Penny Winder, director of Alpha Parking, looks at the future of parking training
Penny Winder
attention is that of traffic orders. Traffic orders play an important role in parking enforcement and even the smallest error can have huge repercussions for local authorities. The drafting and making of traffic orders is a specific skill that seems to be on the wane. A professional qualification would help to encourage people to take on the role of traffic order maker, and the sector as a whole would benefit in the long term.
The creation of a career path would also be a benefit. It is often said that many people working within the parking sector ‘fell into’ their roles rather than actively choosing this career path. However, that is not to say that there shouldn’t be a specific route into and through all levels of the job. There will be qualifications available for a career with the development of parking apprenticeships and the introduction of levels three, four and five in leadership and management. However, there needs to be a framework in place for this to work. There has been some interest from local authorities in the creation of training plans for staff. Alpha Parking recently won the contract to develop a training plan for London Borough of Hounslow Council for the next four years. Standardised training plans also allow local authorities to share training resources, which will benefit all within the sector. This means that local authorities can ensure that training is efficient and cost-effective. A joined-up approach may also open the door for funding from the Skills Funding Agency. These are all things that are in the early stages of development but, in general, the parking sector is making the right moves forward.
www.britishparking.co.uk
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